J&S Appliance: Committed to Customer Service

For over 35 years, J&S Appliance has striven to provide unparalleled customer service. With expertise in furniture, mattresses and appliances, the locally-owned and operated company guarantees this family business has created a name you can trust.

“I am retired, but still a part-timer. Working with machines and people is basically all I’ve done and I love it,” says Jim Pierce .Photo credit: Wendi Agalzoff

As founders, owners and operators of J&S Appliance, Jim and Shela Pierce pushed towards their American dream of running their own business. In the fall of 1976 Jim enrolled in the Applied Science of Major Appliance and Business program at Lewis and Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho. Even before graduation, the family began an appliance removal and repair business, which gave Jim the wherewithal and experience necessary to step directly into a General Electric appliance franchise in Washington State only weeks after graduating in 1978. “Within two weeks we had sold our home, moved to Okanogen and purchased the business,” comments Jim. “When we first started it was just me and her, a ma and pop store.”

After five years of growing their business in Washington, the Pierce family then jumped on the opportunity to operate what was then Sullivan Appliance Repair, a General Electric franchise located in the basement of 1033 Commercial Street in Astoria. Jim and Shela were able to purchase the business in 1985 and began building and adapting. “We built our reputation up by our knowledge, honesty and going the extra mile for our customers,” explains Jim.

For over 35 years, J&S Appliance has provided quality customer service to its community. Photo credit: Wendi Agalzoff

The family slowly and steadily built their business from the ground up. Their retail spaces bounced around Astoria and then moved to their current location in Warrenton where they have been for over 20 years. What started out as a small mom and pop business has grown into a large store front and multiple employees. “It is the repeat customers that really make this place a success. J&S now has 8 employees, a couple of us are family, but we’re all friends,” says Bill Misner of J&S Appliance. “Jim and Shela are the perfect example of when you work hard you can build a business up.”

Working hard in Clatsop County for 33 years, Jim and Shela found loyal employees who were as committed to top notch customer service as they were. One such employee is General Manager Brian Tucker. Brian began his career with J&S as a delivery driver after college graduation, “I liked it so much I decided to stay,” Brian says. “Jim is like a father to me, working with him has been excellent.”

Jim Pierce and General Manager Brian Tucker have worked together for over 10 years as part of the J&S Appliance legacy. Photo credit: Wendi Agalzoff

Paul Pierce, son of Jim and Shela, has been able to continue in the family business through his work as service manager. Following in his father’s footsteps, Paul began working on machines in his teens and found his niche in service and delivery as service manager. “We hope to continue to expand,” says Brian, “we are currently running two crews in the field, training a third service technician and have a total of 11 staff. We are customer service oriented and we pride ourselves in taking care of our customers. We see our community as we go about our day to day and want to make sure everyone is happy with their purchases.”

“Meeting new people is always fun,” explains Jim during one of his many days in the store. “I am retired, but still a part-timer. Working with machines and people is basically all I’ve done and I love it. We are both amazed and appreciative of how we have grown.

“We care about our customers, about their trials and their victories, their children and their grandchildren. Our goal is to secure a future for our children and our grandchildren so that they too may stay here and flourish. Every move we have made and every hour we have worked has been to that end.”

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